Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Crackle Premieres Big-Budget Disaster Movie ‘Skyfire’ Exclusively for Free on August 1st

Rhea-AI Summary

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) announced that the disaster film Skyfire will be available exclusively on Crackle starting August 1, 2021. The film, directed by Simon West, features a notable cast and achieved box office success in China. This release is part of Crackle's strategy to enhance its streaming offering with original and exclusive content. Currently, Crackle Plus networks are expanding their reach across various platforms, targeting a total of 64 distribution points.

Positive

• Exclusive release of Skyfire on Crackle is expected to attract more viewers.
• The film's box office success in China indicates strong demand.
• Crackle Plus networks are expanding to 64 distribution platforms, increasing potential audience.

Negative

• None.

Chinese Box-Office Hit From Director of ‘Con-Air’, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and The Mechanic Coming to Crackle Networks as an AVOD Exclusive

COS COB, Conn., July 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced that both subtitled and dubbed versions of the big-budget disaster film Skyfire will be exclusively available for free on Crackle beginning Sunday, August 1st.

Directed by Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, ‘Con Air’, The Mechanic), the film from Highland Film Group, which topped the Chinese box office, stars Jason Isaacs (Hotel Mumbai), Hannah Quinlivan (Skyscraper), Xueqi Wang (Iron Man 3) and Shawn Dou (Wolf Totem). Produced by Meridian Entertainment, Skyfire is China’s first large-scale disaster movie and debuted in December 2019. VFX Producer John Hughes, who is co-founder of Rhythm & Hues, cooperated with six top-ranking VFX companies worldwide to create the special effects. The film is written by Will Wei Bu and Sidney King, and produced by Jennifer Wenjie Dong.

In Skyfire, chaos erupts when the once dormant volcano at the world's only volcano theme park and resort starts to rumble. A young scientist (Quinlivan) must convince the resort owner (Isaacs) to evacuate the island before it is too late.

“Skyfire is just the kind of big-budget over-the-top blockbuster that our fans are looking for in their summer movie viewing,” said Jeff Meier, head of programming for Crackle Plus. “The film broke box office records in China and we are truly thrilled to bring this to a U.S. audience.”

As one of the only AVODs continually adding original and exclusive programming that uplifts, entertains, and inspires audiences, Crackle adds Skyfire alongside original and AVOD exclusive titles including PROMISELAND, Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story, Cagefighter, After the Murder of Albert Lima, Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story, The Clearing, Anything is Possible: The Serge Ibaka Story, Bucket List, and the award-winning Going From Broke, which recently premiered its second season.

Skyfire is distributed in North America by Screen Media, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. company and the supplier of exclusive and original content to Crackle Plus.

The three primary Crackle Plus networks, Crackle, Popcornflix, and Chicken Soup for the Soul, are rolling out to new distribution touch points on up to 41 platforms on an ongoing basis as either AVOD or FAST channels. The Crackle Plus networks are currently distributed through 49 touch points in the U.S. with plans to expand to 64 touch points including Amazon FireTV, RokuTV, Apple TV, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), gaming consoles (PS4 and XBoxOne), Plex, iOS and Android mobile devices and on desktops at Crackle.com. Crackle is also available in approximately 500,000 hotel rooms in the Marriott Bonvoy chain.

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The company owns Crackle Plus, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media subsidiary and produces original long and short-form content through Landmark Studio Group, Chicken Soup for the Soul Unscripted, APlus.com and Halcyon Television. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those risks set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Taylor Krafchik
Ellipsis
csse@ellipsisir.com
(646) 776-0886

MEDIA CONTACT
Kate Barrette
RooneyPartners LLC
kbarrette@rooneypartners.com
(212) 223-0561

FAQ

When will <em>Skyfire</em> be available on Crackle?

Skyfire will be available exclusively on Crackle starting August 1, 2021.

What is <em>Skyfire</em> about?

Skyfire is a disaster film featuring a scientist trying to evacuate a volcano-themed resort during an eruption.

Who directed <em>Skyfire</em>?

Skyfire was directed by Simon West, known for films like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

What are the stock symbols for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment?

The stock symbols for Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment are CSSE, CSSEP, and CSSEN.

How is Crackle planning to expand its distribution?

Crackle plans to expand to 64 distribution points, including Amazon FireTV, RokuTV, and Apple TV.